“Nothing but pure sugar,” said the clerk, putting a few into his mouth and chewing them with evident relish. “That ain’t what I want,” said Nick, stepping around to the show case where a line of marbles and toys were displayed. “I want just one about the size of one of those marbles. It must be perfectly round and smooth and hard. Can you make one?” “I certainly can.” “Well, do so at once.” The clerk retired behind the screen, and in a few minutes came out and stood behind the counter facing the detective. “I’ve got it made just as you ordered, but it will take a few moments to dry.” “It will be hard, will it?” “As hard as a rock.” Nick purchased some cigars, and sat down by the window to smoke. As he did so, Amos passed along on the opposite side of the street and entered a small livery stable. “What sort of place is that over there?” Nick asked. “Rather a tough joint, I should say. They have very little business when there are no races on.” Nick removed the badge indicating that he was a follower of Denver Bay, and pinned the steel badge of a deputy sheriff upon his vest. “Here’s your pill. It’s big enough to sweeten a cup of coffee with.” “I’ll sweeten more than that with it,” said Nick, as he took it, paid the bill, and hastened off to the livery stable. Amos sat on a bench near the driveway, conversing with several attaches of the place. “Here comes a new deputy,” said one of the loungers, as Nick stepped up. “You haven’t been on the force long, have you, partner?” “Just got on this morning.” “I thought I hadn’t seen you around before.” “As I was saying,” broke in Amos, evidently continuing a conversation, “the fellow is the best jumper I ever saw. I don’t know how far his jump was, but it must have been a clean twelve feet.” “Speaking about jumping,” said Nick, “I can do a little of that myself.” Nick, in his present disguise was rather a green-looking specimen, and the loafers scented some fun at once. “How far can you jump?” asked one. “I don’t know.” “Let’s go back in the barn and try,” suggested another. Nick walked back into the barn without saying another word, and took off his coat and vest. “That’s purty good,” said Amos, as Nick sprang lightly out, making only a fair jump, “but I can beat it.” “I’ll bet you five dollars you can’t.” As Amos started to take off his coat and vest, Nick picked up his own. When Amos threw his garments down Nick threw his own on top of them. The money was staked, and Amos won easily. “That’s hard luck,” said Nick. “Can you run as well as you can jump?” “I can do some running,” said one of the men. “I want to get my money back on this jumper,” said Nick, throwing himself down on the pile of clothes. “I’ll bet five dollars that he can beat any man in the party for a block.” “I can’t do it,” said Amos, “but I’ll try it if you make the bet.” He winked at the others as he spoke. They had found a sucker, and they would divide the money, Amos, of course, losing.